Just like using a blind, employing a tree stand for use deer hunting can be a huge game changer. If you don’t own a tree stand you should really consider where you might be able to try using one — it’s a preferred style of deer hunting by a lot of experienced sportsmen. If you are familiar with tree stand hunting then you’re going to want to check this bad boy out.
Summit Treestands has built a highly portable unit for the off the beaten path deer hunters with the Viper SD. Climbing tree stands are super convenient for hunting hard to reach terrain and for hunting one spot one day and another location the next. It’s a different apporach to more permanent or seasonally permanent tree stand options and built to be even more comfortable.
This Viper SD weighs an impressive total of just 20 pounds and has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. It’s about as lightweight as a tree stand can get and even conveniently mounts to your back for simplified trekking to your favorite hunting grounds or for exploring somewhere new in the landscape.
Summit also makes a highly comparable but slightly more robust stand — the Goliath SD, that has a 350 pound weight limit and only weighs one pound extra than the Viper SD.
The full perimeter frame of this tree stand allow for both siting down and standing up while hunting — despite this being a compact and portable unit it’s still a versatile standing platform and seat to hunt from. The front bar allows for easy climbing and also doubles as a gun rest.
Summit has even filled certain parts of the platform with a custom engineered foam for minimizing noise while shifting around on the stand — pretty cool! The silent foam padded seat can be raised for bow hunting and lowered for gun hunting making this unit truly versatile for any style hunter.
Summit also sells a “surround seat” for their climbing tree stands that provides hunters with even more comfort and some added protection from the elements if fighting the cold is a serious battle where you chase deer. Even though this stand is meant to be portable and trekked with, you’ll find it to be very comfortable and will very likely want to use it over other, more permanent tree stands.
The “Quickdraw” cable retention system is likely what makes this climbing stand such a favorite amongst hunters. It’s renowned for being an exceptionally simple, quick and quiet cable system that doesn’t include any additional hardware. You simply size the cable to the tree diameter, insert it into the retention bracket and the Quickdraw trigger locks into place. To remove the stand you just pull the trigger — it’s a really cool system that is both easy to use and safe.
Summit has also equipped this stand with their ergonomically designed “Rapidclimb” climbing stirrups for keeping any size hunting boot secured to the platform during climbing. The tough aluminum construction of this stand is designed to last a lifetime, but Summit Treestands has none the less covered this product with a five year limited warranty.
As a portable climber, Summit has made a reliable and rugged product here that’s compatible with just about any tree stand style of hunting. Roam the wilderness and hunt where you want to with the Viper SD.
Make sure to check out our list of the best tree stands for some alternative style options if you’re considering replacing your current unit or becoming a first time buyer.